Ball pitching machine with recoil cushioning brake means



Oct. 26, 1965 E. A. LANEY 3,

BALL PITCHING MACHINE WITH RECOIL CUSHIONING BRAKE MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 28, 1963 2 I '6 ir| 12' 4/ 4a :5 =7 4% J5 f0 19 *iigwi f J6 V 44 [a 25 I Z 22 [5; I if INVENTOR. FoMu/vo ALAA/EY BY E- A. LANEY Oct. 26, 1965 BALL PITCHING MACHINE WITH REGOIL CUSHIONING BRAKE MEANS Filed Feb. 28, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDMUND A.LANEY BY A m/wfl Arm/am? 5 A. LANEY Oct. 26, 1965 BALL PITCHING MACHINE WITH REGOIL CUSHIONING BRAKE MEANS Filed Feb. 28, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. EDMUND A. LANEY BY W ZORNEY Oct. 26, 1965 E, A. LANEY 3,213,843

BALL PITCHING MACHINE WITH RECOIL CUSHIONING BRAKE MEANS Filed Feb. 28, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. EDMU/Vfl A LANE) Arm/Qua V United States Patent BALL PITCHING MACHINE WITH RECOHL CUSHlGNlNG BRAKE MEANS Edmund A. Laney, Redondo Beach, Calif., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to P. C. Parfitt, D. Lee Batten, and John Dixon, all of Los Angeles County, Calif.

Filed Feb. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 261,622

3 Claims. (Cl. 124-7) This is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 128,744, filed August 2, 1961, for a Ball Pitching Machine.

This invention relates to a portable mechanical device for pitching successive balls or similar objects in a predetermined and variably set path such as may be useful to a batter for practice in hitting baseballs. Such device may likewise be used in trap shooting, or to throw tennis balls or other articles which it is desired for a player to hit or respond to in one way or another.

Ball pitching machines which operated in various ways have been known, but a particularly objectionable feature of their operation has been the auto-variability of the trajectory followed by successive balls, even when the latter are identical in shape, size and weight. Thus with portable pitching deviceswhich it is desirable frequently to move to and from a playing field or from one playing location to another for short periods of use in contrast to such a mechanism permanently anchored at one spota notable defect has been that the backlash from each pitch so jars or moves the machine from its original or previous setting that the desired anticipation of each ball similarly being delivered over the home plate may be virtually destroyed. One result of this is that the pitched ball may hit the batter rather than vice versa.

Now, by he present construction, the shock of each recoil is absorbed by an automatic braking mechanism which enables the device to continue pitching balls in the narrow space corridors for which it is originally set, without appreciable lateral deviation. In addition, my device may be adjusted to produce a high ball or a low ball, which still goes over the home platethat is, the height of delivery can be changed without affecting the right or left deviation. Further, the speed of the ball can be varied by adjustment of the machine, specifically by altering the balancing force which must be overcome to release the pitching arm on each throw. Such controls can be changed between each pitched ball, if desired, or they can remain at the same setting for successive throws.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to embody such features and advantages in a comparatively light weight or portable device of relatively simple and inexpensive construction, which is of long life and highly effective in operation, as well as consistently predictable in repetitive action.

The basic structure of my device was shown and claimed in my pending application Serial No. 128,744, filed August 2, 1961, or" which this is a continuation-inpart. Due in considerable measure to the braking mechanism there embodied, it was possible to diminish the previously experienced backlash of analogous constructions to such as extent that a portable (lightweight) pitching device could be fabricated with a frame formed from light tube stock and having a total weight on the order, say, of only 140 lbs. (including the electric motor). Such device can simply be placed (without hold-down attachments) on a level surface and continue to hurl successive balls in the same undeviating course without shifting its stance as a result of backlash.

Such backlash in prior models was due to the necessity of more-or-less suddenly stopping the rotating arm after each pitch, in order then (a) to load another ball 3,213,843 Patented Oct. 26, 1%65 "ice and (b) to accumulate spring-tension in the drive mechanism so as to propel the next pitch. In my pending application, there was detailed one particular brake construction (involving a spiral brake band) which accomplished this result. The present application shows and claims another brake construction which has been found effective.

The basic drive mechanism with which my brake constructions are particularly adapted comprise a (radially mounted) pitching arm fixedly mounted on a (horizontal) drive shaft which makes complete successive single revolutions from a rest position at which successive balls are loaded. Each rotation is effected by a coil spring wound concentrically about the drive shaft and progressively tightened (between pitches) by a continuouslyrunning (electric) motor. Thus after the arm is braked to a stop following a pitch, the drive spring is again tightened (by the motor) until its tension overcomes the holding force (of a separate trigger-detent). The holding force of the trigger is adjustable (as by variable springtension). The brake force which is applied to the swinging arm (desirably) immediately after it has pitched a ball can also be varied. With the present construction, the brake force must be sufiicient to bring the arm to a stop in a little less than one revolution, but it must not act as a drag on the pitching arm at the instant of its trigger-release. Accordingly, by the present invention, means are provided to automatically disengage the brake from the stopped or (nearly) stationary arm, and allow it to be held primarily by the trigger pressure alone, until the latter force is overcome by the accumulated spring tension. Thus the retarding force or (adjustable) load put on the trigger, determines the ball-propulsive force which must be accumulated on the coil spring to (first) overcome the trigger-retaining-force and (then) to pitch the ball. The ball is hurled practically at the instant of trigger-release, so the braking force can then be applied at the same time and continue with the swinging arm around the complete (360) rotation until the brake in effect passes its function to the trigger-detent.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds, having reference to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention particularly illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my ball pitching machine, showing the rotary throwing arm, after having picked up a ball from the supply chute (while swinging thru the phantom position), the arm being now located at its stationary or coil-winding position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the machine with the housing removed and the throwing arm in ball-receiving position, but with the inner mechanism at coil-winding position, some structure being broken away or shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken thru the operating mechanism along the line 3-3 of FIG- URE 2, with some structure shown inelevation;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view thru the machine as viewed along the line 44 of FIGURE 2, particularly showing in elevation, the trigger mechanism which holds one end of the coil while it is wound from the opposite end, with more distant parts including the throwing arm omitted;

FIG. 5 is a corresponding vertical sectional view looking in the opposite direction along the line 5-5 of FIG- URE 2, particularly showing the gear train extending from the electric motor to its connection to the winding end of the coil spring, with a central portion broken away;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the ball-throwing cradle with the adjacent supporting end of the rotary throwing arm shown in axial section;

FIG. 7 is a fragmental vertical axial sectional view thru the ball supply chute, particularly showing the attachment of the pick-up enclosure to the delivery end of the chute, as viewed along the line 77 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a detachable rack which may be added to the right end of the ball delivery chute as seen in FIG. 1, the rack being particularly adapted to handle tennis balls;

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view thru the rack taken along the line 99 of FIGURE 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical section, similar to FIG. 4, particularly showing, in elevation, the present braking mechanism;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the braking mechanism; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 1212 of FIG. 10 and showing the brake shoe being elevated from the rotary pitching shaft by engagement of the arcuate cam (on the shaft), with the contact roller of the tensioned lever arm which carries the dependent brake shoe.

In the illustrated portable form of ball pitching machine which embodies the invention, there is provided a supporting frame 10 assembled typically of L-shaped angle irons, plus tubular struts or rods suitably interconnected, as by spot welding and/ or bolts. A parallel pair of generally inverted, U-shaped tubes or bars 12, 14 provide four legs for ground contact, being joined together by front and rear cross braces 16, 18. The medial, horizontal spans 13, 15 of the inverted US support and are held together by a rectangular, open-center skeletal tray or platform formed of angle irons having their respective upright ends joined together at right angles, with the whole affixed to the underframe as by being bolted to four, inward projecting, horizontal tabs 22, 23, 24, carried by the level tops of the inverted U-rods 13, 15. Within the rectangular platform 20 thus anchored, there is disposed an intermediate, longitudinal angle iron 26, terminally secured by bolts 27, 28 to the respective cross ends 19, 21 of the platform.

The upper framework of the machine is completed by a parallel pair of rearward, angularly upstanding tubes or rods 30, 32 secured to the U-rods 12, 14 by tubular attachment collars 31, 33, and serving to support adjacent their raised ends a transversely directed, ball supply channel 35 disposed at a small inclination from the horizontal. A semi-annular hood or housing shell 38 may be provided to descendingly cover the platform 20 and thus enclose the operating mechanism (FIG. 1), the shell being formed with a downward opening, central vertical slot 39 along one side for mounting over the laterally projecting hub 40 of the adjacent throwing arm, so that the cover can thus remain in place during operation of the machine and guard a passerby against accidental contact therewith.

Immediately adjacent the inner, vertical face of each longitudinal L-rail 11, 17 of the platform 20, is secured an upstanding, fiat sided, mutually parallel, bearing plate 42, 44 (FIG. 2), transversely aligned along the central cross-axis of the platform, but of unequal area and height, the plate 44 alongside the throwing arm being the larger and higher (FIGS. 3-4).

With its opposite ends journalled respectively in the smaller bearing plate 42 and the upstanding arm 29 of the longitudinal rail 26, there is a generally horizontal, transversely disposed drive shaft 46 upon which is fixedly secured a vertical wheel 48, formed with a peripheral groove in which is received a V-belt 58 for transmitting power from a suitable motive source such as the electric motor 52. A pair of vertical plates or hangers are fixedly mounted on the cross-bracket 18 and jointly suspend a horizontal cross rod 57 (FIG. 4) from which the motor 52 hangs freely by means of a pair of suspension rings 53, 54. The drive belt 50 when operatively mounted is of lesser span than the maximum distance between the drive wheel 48 of the frame and the drive shaft 51 of the motor if the latter hung vertically, so that the motor must be swung inward upon the pair of suspension rings 53, 54 for connection with the drive belt. Accordingly, the weight of the thus angularly hanging motor continually tensions the drive belt 50 to keep it taut.

Also fixedly mounted on the drive shaft 46 of the frame is a pintle gear 56 disposed in driving engagement with an upper cog wheel 58, which latter is fixedly carried on a horizontal, tubular shaft 60. A transverse, cylindrical rod or axle 62 is fixedly disposed, generally horizontally between and traversing the two upright bracket plates 42, 44 near their upper margins, being held in the former by a vertical set screw 64. The tubular shaft is rotatably mounted about a length of the fixed shaft adjacent the upright bearing plate 42, while disposed in end-abutment with its inner end 63 (FIG. 3) and rotatably carried by the adjacent length of the axle 62 is a coaxial, tubular shaft 68 of a corresponding radial dimension. Secured to the outer end of the tube 68 as by a radial disk or web 70 is an outer cylindrical, open-end tube or housing 72 which is journalled in an annular, ball-bearing raceway 66 of the mounting bracket 44. An annular brake band 74 is disposed about the cylindrical housing 72 adjacent the inner edge of the raceway. Diametrically traversing the projecting hub 40 of the housing tube 72 is a longitudinal throwing arm 76 detachably coupled thereto by a transverse bolt 78 and consequently rotatable in unison with the coaxial housing 72 and tubular shaft 68.

A coil spring 80 is coaxially disposed about the fixed axle 62 and about the adjoining ends of the rotatable shafts 60 and 68. In effect, the opposite ends of the coil are attached (indirectly) to the respective shafts 60 and 68 so as to provide an intermittent-acting drive means between the cog wheel 58 and the rotatable housing 72 with its throwing arm 76. The cog wheel 58 may conveniently be made of wood with a cog-carrying annulus 59 secured about the periphery, and a vertical, reinforcing metal plate 65 centrally afiixed thereto as by a pair of transverse bolts 61 (FIG. 5

Disposed somewhat radially inward between the pair of plate-holding bolts 61, is a transverse, anchoring bolt 82 about the inner end of which is wound one end 83 of the spring 80, while diametrically disposed from the bolt 82, the first loop of the coil 80 is additionally secured to the wooden face of the cog wheel 58 by a holddown bracket 84. Thus it will be seen that by comparatively slow rotation of the cog wheel 58 (thru the gear train 48, 56, 58 which reduces the effective speed of the electric motor 52), the coil spring 80 is slowly wound or tightened from its end 82 whenever its opposite end is held stationary. Accordingly, the opposite end 85 of the coil spring is attached (FIG. 4) to a flat-sided, diametrically disposed trigger arm or plate 86 (which in turn is fixedly carried on the rotatable shaft 68) by means of a headed bolt 88 and hold-down bracket 89 similar to the attachment of the previous end of the coil.

Adjustable trigger means are provided for intermittently restraining the plate 86 while the coil 80 is being tightened to a predetermined tension by action of the cog wheel 58. Transversely disposed adjacent an outer end of the arm 86 is a freely rotatable annulus 90 having an outer surface of elastomeric material disposed, when at a stop position of the rotary arm 86, to frictionally engage the outer end of a generally cylindrically projecting detent member 92, which is longitudinally extensible from a housing structure 94, the latter being secured against the inner face of the larger vertical bracket plate 44. Within the cylindrical portion of the housing is disposed a coil spring 96, one end of which is in frictional registration with the inner surface of the projecting detent 92, while the opposite end bears against a rearward-projecting, tightening screw 98 threadedly mounted in the housing wall. Accordingly, by manual rotation of the screw 98, the force with which the detent 92 yieldingly engages the stop member 90 is readily adjustable, thus varying the discharge force or tension accumulated by winding or tightening the spring 80. This results in control of the amount of projectal force embodied in each throw of the pitching arm 76. In other words, by such means the machine can be set to pitch a fast ball or a slow ball, as a result of the greater or less tension accumulated by the coil spring before it overbalances the frictional holding force between the trigger and detent 92, which holding force is variable by adjustment of the tightening screw 98.

Supporting atop the outer lengths of the arms 30, 32 to which it is connected by four screws 36 (FIG. 2) is a longitudinally slanted, open-top supply channel or chute 35 usually wide enough to accommodate only a single row of balls and terminating in a three-sided, rectangular, pick-up enclosure formed with open top, bottom and front areas. A supporting frame of the pick-up enclosure 100 can conveniently be bent from a single length of wire 201. The respective upper and lower margins of an upright wall member 101 (typically consisting of sheet metal) are oppositely wrapped around the vertically separated stretches of wire, and the unit is attached to the rear face of the chute as by connection of the wire ends or eyelets with screws 102 (FIGS. 2 and 7). The width of the open bottom and front of the enclosure is a little less than the diameter of a ball 99 so as to prevent the latter from dropping or rolling out in any direction by itself. However it can be lifted out of the open top, as by the grooved tongue 104 of an up-swinging ball cradle 105 carried on the outer end of the rotatable throwing arm 76. As the cradle 105 moves up (upon return swing of the throwing arm after discharging or hurling a previous ball), the projecting tongue lifts the terminal ball from the enclosure 100 at the position 99a (FIG. 2) and the picked-up ball immediately rolls down the short length of the moving tongue 104 into the socket position 9912, at which point it is loosely overlaid by a progressively converging pair of short, inwardly curved, wings 106, 107. As the arm 76 moves on to the stop position of FIG. 1, it is there retained (holding its loosely cradled ball) by the trigger 92 while the coil spring 80 is wound up, as previously described. Upon trigger release of the coil 80 and its attached throwing arm 76, the ball 99 is hurled longitudinally from the cradle 105 along the underface of the now-inverted tongue 104, as the arm springs forward.

Provision is also made for varying the trajectory of the ball thus cast, namely, by tilting the cradle 105 forward or back longitudinally in the plane of rotation of the arm 76. A fiat-sided shank 108 of the ball cradle is pivotally secured to an axially projecting, terminal attachment tab 109 of the arm 76, by means of a transverse pivot pin or screw 110 inserted thru one or the other of a pair of transverse openings 210 in the arm 76. Another transverse bolt 111, carrying a tightening or locking element 112 on one end, traverses both the shank 108 and the juxtaposed tab 109 distally to the pivot 110. The cradle shank 108 is formed with an arcuate slot 113 permitting its limited sliding movement across the adjacent attachment tab 109 when traversed by the shaft of the bolt 111 (prior to tightening of the locking element 112), as indicated by the arrow FIG. 6. Typically, the body of the throwing arm 76 (as well as the shafts 60, 68) is formed of light-weight metal such as tubular aluminum, reinforced if desired by an inner wooden stem 77, the two being fastened together as by a bolt and nut 79 adjacent an outer annular flange 75. Accordingly, by such tilting adjustment of the ball cradle 105-which corresponds to the ball pitchers hand-either a high ball or a low ball is consistently delivered over the home plate. In addition (or independently), either a fast ball or a slow ball is produced by regulation of the tension accumulated by the drive coil 80 before its automatic trigger-dsicharge, as earlier described.

Consistent control of the speed (for fast and slow balls) and trajectory (for high and low balls) of each successive ball is highly desirable in a baseball pitching machine, but it is even more essential that every ball is delivered within the same restricted area, that is, over the home plate rather than erratically to one side or the other thereof. As mentioned above, previous portable pitching machines, even when heavily weighted down were frequently displaced from their original ground alignment by the backlash of the rotating arm. Thus one ball might be pitched directly over the plate and the next one arrive along such a line of lateral displacement as to be out of reach of the batter when veering in one direction, or alternately to hit the batter if displaced in the other direction. Now by the present automatically controlled braking action of each rotation of the throwing arm, even the present comparatively light weight structure does not jump or move about on the ground or other surface on which it is merely stood without being bolted down or otherwise anchored.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 10-12, a longitudinal lever arm is fulcrumed at one end on the transverse shaft of a headed bolt 152, which is inserted thru the upright side plate 44 adjacent its upper margin. A spacing collar 154 on the shaft locates the arm 150 spaced inward from and generally parallel to the wall 44. The latter is also traversed by the enlarged, cylindrical, rotatable housing portion 72 of the idler shaft 68; and tangential in line therewith, the overlying lever arm 150 dependently carries an arcuate brake shoe 156 which conforms to the curvature of the brake band or annulus 74 which is disposed around the cylindrical structure 72. The brake 156 is thus adapted to be forced against the brake band 74 of the rotatable housing for sliding frictional engagement therewith. Since the radially disposed, ball throwing arm 76 is carried on the outer portion of this housing 72, the brake shoe 156 accordingly is intended to bring the revolving arm 76 (or its shaft 68) to a complete stop in a little less than a complete revolution after each pitch. By lugs 155, 157 pivoting on pin 159, shoe 156 aligns with the band 74.

At its opposite end, the lever arm 150 is adjustably fastened to the platform 20, or more particularly to its side rail 17, thru the intermediate means of a successive tension spring 158 and turn buckle 160. In such manner the brake 156 is normally held in engagement with the housing 72, with the amount of tension being variable by manual manipulation of the turn buckle 160 from time to time. Along one side of the brake band 74, the housing cylinder 72 fixedly carries an upstanding, arcuate-shaped cam 162 of comparatively short length (i.e. less than 90) with an inclined contact edge 164. In the same vertical plane as the cam, the overlying lever arm 150 disposes a contact roller 166. The height of the upper, arcuate edge 163 of the cam above the ro tatable housing 72 is such that when the roller 166 is rested or supported upon the cam, the lever arm 150 is thereby raised and its dependent brake shoe 156 is ele vated from normal frictional contact with the band 74. In other words, when the cam 162 comes around and contact-raises the roller 166, and its attached lever arm 150, elevation of the latter raises or disengages the brake 156. This occurs at the end of a rotation of idler shaft 68 after the throwing arm 76 has pitched a ball. Desirably at this pointwhen the brake is liftedthe pitching arm or its corresponding shaft 68 has been braked practically to a stop. In any event, it is then held by mutual engagement of the detent-trigger 92 and the roller 90. The coil spring 80 then tightens (by continuous action of the motor 52, transmitted to the drive shaft 46) until it has accumulated enough tension to disengage the roller 90 from the spring-loaded trigger-detent 92 and thus catapult the ball 99 from the cradle 105. As the rear end 165 of the cam then passes beyond the roller 166, again the brake shoe 156 immediately drops back (by tension spring 158) against the brake band 74. It

will thus be seen that since the roller 166 is freely rotatable, and also that since the width or thickness of the contact edge of the cam 162 which engages it is relatively narrow, there is no appreciable braking force between these two elements while they are mutually engaged. During this period (the brake shoe 156 being accordingly lifted), whether the pitching arm 76 is held still or not depends solely on the engagement between the roller 90 and the detent 92. And the holding force of the latter can readily be varied by turning the tightening screw 98.

Since tennis balls cannot readily be fed into a delivery chute from a funnel or hopper (because of the tendency of their surface for mutual engagement), there is here provided a rack 122 (FIGS. 7, 8, 9) conveniently formed of sheet metal, for detachable coupling to the free end of the channel 35 (FIG. 1). Fixedly suspended between a parallel pair of upstanding, channel-shaped end walls 124, 126 are three vertically spaced and aligned troughs 128, 130, 132 longitudinally tilted or slanted in varying degrees to form a continuous, criss-cross descending path. The several troughs are individually secured, as by spot welding of their sides, to the inturned edges of the respective end wall 124, 126. The lower end of the uppermost trough is formed with a bottom opening 134 of sufficient size to allow a tennis ball to drop thru easily and strike a curved deflector 136 which is affixed to the adjacent end wall 124. A similar end outlet 138 and dependently curved, deflector 140 are located adjacent the opposite end of the intermediate trough 130. At the same end of the rack, beneath the bottom trough 132 is an inwardly directed, upturned clip or resilient engagement tab 143 terminally secured to the upright wall 126 and adapted to receive the floor 144 of the permanently mounted chute 35 slidingly inserted lengthwise between it and the underface of the trough 132, with the side walls 145, 146 of the chute then providing lateral support for the sides of the trough and positioning the rack as a whole. The end wall 124 which is innermost when thus mounted, is formed with a lower opening 148 which thus provides an outlet for balls leaving the trough 144 for the chute 35, ultimately arriving at the pick-up enclosure. Accordingly, by use of such rack 122 a comparatively large number of balls can be loaded at one time for successive individual pickup by the cradle 105 and throwing arm 76.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described; and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as hereafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A pitching device of the character described, comprising, in combination: a tubular drive shaft and a tubular idler shaft, each independently rotatable and disposed generally end to end in axial alignment about a central fixed axle extending jointly through both shafts; a transversely disposed pitching arm fixedly carried by said idler shaft, said arm having a generally outwardly terminal ball cradle, which idler shaft also carries a radially disposed detent surface; means adapted for effecting continuous rotation of said drive shaft; a coil spring disposed generally coaxial about said shafts and axle and having opposite ends secured respectively to the idler shaft and to said drive shaft, whereby rotation of the latter acts to tension said spring when the idler shaft is held stationary; tension-adjustable, spring-loaded trigger means having a slide-contact surface disposed for yielding frictional engagement with said detent surface, whereby the idler shaft may be held against rotation while the coil spring is tightened until it overcomes the engaging force of said slide-contact surface and thereby effects sudden rotation of the idler shaft and attached pitching arm; and rotary brake means adapted to cushion recoil from the suddenly released coil spring, said brake means comprising a brake shoe disposed for substantially continuous engagement with said idler shaft during most of the cycle of each successive revolution thereof, variable tension means for regulating the brake force exerted by the brake shoe from one cycle to another, and automatic brake release means comprising a short arcuate, radially projecting cam carried by the idler shaft, and intermediate roller means disposed to be slidingly contacted by the rotating cam and thereby to disengage said brake shoe during the mutual engagement of said detent surface and said trigger means and for a short arcuate distance immediately thereafter, whereby upon such trigger release a ball may be thrown from the cradle before braking force is applied to said idler shaft by said shoe.

2. A pitching device of the character described, comprising, in combination: a drive shaft and an idler shaft, each independently rotatable and disposed generally end to end in axial alignment; a transversely disposed pitching arm fixedly carried by said idler shaft, said arm having a generally outwardly terminal ball cradle, which idler shaft also carries a radially disposed detent surface; means adapted for effecting continuous rotation of said drive shaft; a coil spring disposed generally coaxial with said shafts and having opposite ends secured respectively to the idler shaft and to said drive shaft, whereby rotation of the latter acts to tension said spring when the idler shaft is held stationary; trigger means having a slidecontact surface disposed for yielding frictional engagement with said detent surface, whereby the idler shaft may be held against rotation while the coil spring is tightened until it overcomes the engaging force of said slide-contact surface and thereby effects sudden rotation of the idler shaft and attached pitching arm; and rotary brake means adapted to cushion recoil from the suddenly released coil spring, said brake means comprising a brake shoe disposed for substantially continuous engagement with said idler shaft during most of the cycle of each successive revolution thereof, and automatic brake release means adapted by contact with said rotating idler shaft to disengage said brake shoe during the mutual engagement of said detent surface and said trigger means and during a short arcuate distance immediately thereafter, whereby upon such trigger release a ball may be thrown from the cradle before braking force is applied to said idler shaft by said shoe.

3'. The device of the preceding claim 2 wherein said brake shoe is carried by a spring-loaded lever arm which additionally carries a contact roller, and said brake release means comprise a short arcuate, radially projecting cam carried by the idler shaft in position to engage said contact roller and thereby disengage said brake shoe during such interval.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,306,584 6/19 Droege et a1. 124-49 X 1,863,035 6/32 Stuart 12416 2,135,603 11/38 Roth 1248 2,652,820 9/53 Darrell 1248 2,792,822 5/57 Ponza 124-7 2,877,757 3/59 Giovagnoli 1247 2,918,915 12/59 Doeg 124--50X 2,996,058 8/61 Ervine 1248 3,009,451 11/61 Zone 124-7 FOREIGN PATENTS 25,882 5 31 Australia. 500,440 2/ 39 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. 

2. A PITCHING DEVICE OF A THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A DRIVE SAHFT AND AN IDLER SHAFT, EACH INDEPENDENTLY ROTATABLE AND DISPOSED GENERALLY END TO END IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT; A TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED PITCHING ARM FIXEDLY CARRIED BY SAID IDLER SHAFT, SAID ARM HAVING A GENERALLY OUTWARDLY TERMINAL BALL CRADLE, WHICH IDLER SHAFT ALSO CARRIES A RADIALLY DISPOSED DETENT SURFACE; MEANS ADAPTED FOR EFFECTING CONTINUOUS ROTATION OF SAID DRIVE SHAFT; A COIL SPRING DISPOSED GENERALLY COAXIAL WITH SAID SHAFTS AND HAVING OPPOSITE ENDS SECURED RESPECTIVELY TO THE IDLER SHAFT AND TO SAID DRIVE SHAFT, WHEREBY ROTATION OF THE LATTER ACTS TO TENSION SAID SPRING WHEN THE IDLER SHAFT IS HELD STATIONARY; TRIGGER MEANS HAVING A SLIDECONTACT SURFACE DISPOSED FOR YEIELDING FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DETENT SURFACE, WHEREBY THE IDLER SHAFT MAY BE HELD AGAINST ROTATION WHILE THE COIL SPRING IS TIGHTENED UNTIL IT OVERCOMES THE ENGAGING FORCE OF SAID SLIDE-CONTACT SURFACE AND THEREBY EFFECTS SUDDEN ROTATION OF THE IDLER SHAFT AND ATTACHED PITCHING ARM; AND ROTARY BRAKE MEANS ADAPTED TO CUSHION RECOIL FROM THE SUDDENLY RELEASED COIL SPRING, SAID BRAKE MEANS COMPRISING ENGAGEMENT SHOE DISPOSED FOR SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOSU ENGAGEMENT 